Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Bank of Nova Scotia

Bank of Nova Scotia lessened its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 76.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,832 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 24,789 shares during the period. Bank of Nova Scotia's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,405,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 22.5% in the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 54,105 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $9,721,000 after buying an additional 9,946 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 255.3% during the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 6,345 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,138,000 after purchasing an additional 4,559 shares in the last quarter. Abacus Planning Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 175.6% in the fourth quarter. Abacus Planning Group Inc. now owns 2,792 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $501,000 after buying an additional 1,779 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $274,248,000 after acquiring an additional 10,578 shares during the period. Finally, Empirical Finance LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 43.3% in the fourth quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 8,176 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,467,000 after purchasing an additional 2,472 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on UHS. Guggenheim initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Baird R W lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $224.92.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS traded up $0.91 on Friday, hitting $174.57. 585,657 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 747,813. The company has a 50 day moving average of $178.88 and a 200-day moving average of $191.54. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $152.69 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.35 billion, a PE ratio of 11.61, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.46%. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.75%.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities. It operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments. The company's hospitals offer general and specialty surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, emergency room care, radiology, oncology, diagnostic and coronary care, pediatric services, pharmacy services, and/or behavioral health services.